Chapter 2122: Yan Wushen Arrives
The Ancient Curse Cauldron contained an endless amount of ancient curses, sinister and bizarre beyond compare. From ancient times to the present, it had already harvested the souls of countless living beings, and as a result, had become even more terrifying.
Even cultivators of the Underworld Clan dared not use the Ancient Curse Cauldron lightly, fearing unpredictable disasters.
This object had become a forbidden artifact within the Underworld Clan.
Ming Yao and Ming Fo had risked carrying the Ancient Curse Cauldron into the Kunlun Realm, clearly determined to eliminate Zhang Ruochen, to restore the Underworld Clan's honor while also removing a major threat to the Hell Realm.
"Ah——"
Some cultivators were slightly slower in their escape, and the invisible curses invaded their bodies, immediately eliciting agonized screams.
Their skin, at a speed visible to the naked eye, rapidly turned gray-black, their expressions becoming ferocious, with only despair left in their eyes.
As for Zhang Ruochen, the primary target of the attack, his situation was undoubtedly even worse, completely submerged by the power of the curse.
This curse power was truly too terrifying, capable of even eroding space itself, as if there were no means to withstand it.
He mobilized the Truth Esoterica, activating the Flame God Armor, causing blazing flames to rise.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen released Purifying Divine Flame at the level of an Emperor Flame, combining it with the flames of the Flame God Armor to completely cover his entire body.
As soon as the curse power touched this layer of flame, it sizzled, turning into wisps of black smoke, then dissipating without a trace.
"Fortunately, the Purifying Divine Flame has evolved into an Emperor Flame; otherwise, dealing with these curse powers originating from the ancient era would have been quite troublesome," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
The characters "Purifying" and "Annihilating" in Purifying Divine Flame represented purification and annihilation, making it perfect for dealing with curse power.
"Roar."
Suddenly, a deafening beastly roar sounded.
A hideous and terrifying behemoth broke free from the Ancient Curse Cauldron, its body imprinted with numerous complex curse runes. As soon as it appeared, it emitted various negative auras of strangeness, misfortune, fear, destruction, resentment, and hatred.
"It's a curse vengeful spirit cultivated by harvesting countless souls... Hiss..."
Many cultivators couldn't help but inhale sharply, their Sacred Souls trembling.
The curse vengeful spirit resembled a giant centipede, with tens of thousands of legs, each of different shapes—some like human legs, some like beast legs, and others in the form of sharp claws—as if pieced together from countless living beings, giving a shocking and horrifying appearance.
Anyone could clearly perceive the intense resentment emanating from the curse vengeful spirit, feeling that even if all the water of the Heavenly River were poured out, it couldn't be cleansed.
The body of the curse vengeful spirit stretched for dozens of miles.
After breaking free from the Ancient Curse Cauldron, it charged straight at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed slightly. He extended a hand, mobilizing the 680,000 Space Rules within his body, and pressed forward fiercely.
With Zhang Ruochen's current mastery of space, even though the Ancient Curse Cauldron had fixed the space, it couldn't completely restrict him.
"Boom."
The space within a thousand zhang radius shattered in an instant, revealing a large area of dark void, like a black hole.
The curse vengeful spirit was obstructed, flying backward, its massive body breaking into dozens of segments.
But in the next moment, the body of the curse vengeful spirit reassembled, showing no signs of damage. Instead, the aura it emitted became even more terrifying.
Once again, the curse vengeful spirit lunged at Zhang Ruochen, spewing gray-black flames formed from a sea of curse runes.
The corrosive power of the gray-black flames was extremely terrifying, melting space rapidly wherever they passed.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword flew out from the Divine Light Qi Sea, grasped by Zhang Ruochen, who then slowly swung it, mobilizing both Sword Dao Rules and Space Rules.
"Sword Realm."
With a calm voice, a strange world was created out of thin air, completely enveloping the curse vengeful spirit.
Within this world, endless sword qi filled the air, each capable of threatening a Nine-Step Saint King.
This sword technique was created by Zhang Ruochen during his twenty-eight years of seclusion, perfectly combining the Sword Dao and the Way of Space.
Of course, both the Sword Dao and the Way of Space were profound and extensive. The sword technique Zhang Ruochen had created at this stage was still just a prototype, requiring further refinement. When perfected, its power would correspondingly increase.
Creating one's own Sacred Art had a great advantage: the Sacred Art had unlimited room for growth. With gradual refinement, it was not impossible for it to become a Divine Ability in the future.
In fact, many Sacred Arts circulating in various worlds were created by gods at different stages of their cultivation, with deep connections between them.
By first cultivating a lower-grade Sacred Art, one could hope to use it as a foundation to cultivate higher-grade Sacred Arts.
While Zhang Ruochen was fiercely battling the curse vengeful spirit, the curse power released by the Ancient Curse Cauldron continued to spread.
What terrified many cultivators fleeing deep into the Luo Water was that the curse power was merging into the Luo Water, continuously penetrating it.
Only then did many cultivators understand why the Ancient Curse Cauldron could annihilate all life in a major world—because it could penetrate anything, eroding all things.
"Ming Yao and Ming Fo are too powerful; they can drive the Ancient Curse Cauldron to this extent. If this continues, we'll probably all die in the Luo Water."
"There's no choice but to keep retreating deeper into the Luo Water. Maybe there's a slim chance of survival. Once we leave the Luo Water, we'll truly have no way out. The ancient curses are untouchable; even a Nine-Step Saint King would end up in a miserable state."
"This time, we've been doomed by Zhang Ruochen. His feud with the Underworld Clan has dragged us into it."
"You're thinking too simply. Since Ming Yao and Ming Fo dared to come to the Kunlun Realm, given their methods, they will inevitably cause a bloodbath. If it weren't for wanting to deal with Zhang Ruochen, they might have already used ruthless means to massacre everyone in the Luo Water."
"I just learned that before entering the Kunlun Realm, Ming Yao ambushed a Great Saint at the late stage of Indestructible Infinite in the outer domain, almost succeeding. Such a murderous star is simply not someone we can afford to provoke."
......
As the cultivators discussed, they accelerated their escape.
They had suffered an undeserved calamity. They had come seeking opportunities, but now they were trapped in the Luo Water by Ming Yao and Ming Fo, caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Master, what do we do now? There are many cultivators from our Heavenly Beginning Civilization on the Nine-Bend Heavenly Star. If the curse power penetrates there, they won't be able to withstand it," Li Miaohan said, very worried.
The Butcher frowned deeply. "If the curse power erodes the Nine-Bend Heavenly Star, then in the future, cultivators from our Heavenly Beginning Civilization will no longer be able to use it to comprehend the Sacred Dao."
"Damn Ming Yao and Ming Fo. I hope they get backlashed by the Ancient Curse Cauldron," the Fool gritted his teeth.
Despite their indignation, the other party were the two strongest below Great Saint in the Underworld Clan, and they had no way to fight back, only able to fret.
The Underworld Clan was born with mastery over curse power, but among this generation, only Ming Yao and Ming Fo could control the power of ancient curses.
Even the Son of Darkness needed external help to use it.
The power of ancient curses was extremely terrifying, capable of contending with the Nine Eternal Paths. For this reason, Ming Yao and Ming Fo had grown into top-tier experts at the first level below Great Saint, on par with the Son of Darkness, the master of darkness.
Only those who themselves mastered the power of ancient curses could activate the Ancient Curse Cauldron; otherwise, they would suffer backlash.
At this moment, the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden closed her eyes, and a mysterious power fluctuation emanated from her.
"Rumble."
A great commotion came from the depths of the Luo Water. The Nine-Bend Heavenly Star, floating and sinking in the Luo Water, shook violently.
The nine divine rivers flowing on the Nine-Bend Heavenly Star suddenly increased their flow speed tenfold, releasing immense divine power that instantly transmitted to the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden.
Immediately, the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden opened her eyes, her body radiating dazzling light that spread for hundreds of miles.
With a light tap of her jade feet, her delicate body rose into the air. She slowly spread her jade hands, emitting an increasingly sacred aura, as if the Luo River Goddess had reappeared.
In an instant, the Luo Water behind the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden surged with towering waves—hundreds of meters high, thousands of meters high, tens of thousands of meters high—layering upon each other. The terrifying water waves connected heaven and earth, as if the entire Luo Water had been flipped over, a scene of shocking horror.
"What's happening?"
All the cultivators fleeing toward the depths of the Luo Water showed expressions of surprise.
Everyone could see wisps of golden mist gathering from all directions, converging onto the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden.
Even the vast power contained in the entire Luo Water had been bestowed upon the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden.
Li Miaohan looked up at the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden, excitedly saying, "Master has resonated with the Nine-Bend Heavenly Star and received the divine power blessing of the Luo River Goddess ancestor. The Luo Water is almost completely under Master's control."
"The Celestial Maiden is practically the incarnation of the Luo River Goddess ancestor, able to draw upon such majestic power. Even the ancient curses that had merged into the Luo Water are being rapidly expelled," the Fool said, his eyes full of reverence.
The Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden's expression was serious. She extended her slender jade finger and pointed.
"Rustle."
Behind her, the ten-thousand-meter-high water waves transformed into countless water dragons, carrying unparalleled power, charging straight at Ming Yao and Ming Fo.
At the same time, the curse power that had spread into the Luo Water reversed course.
"Boom."
The Ancient Curse Cauldron was struck, tumbling repeatedly, its surface curse runes dimming as a result.
Ming Yao and Ming Fo's expressions changed slightly. They had never expected the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden to unleash such a powerful technique.
Zhang Ruochen naturally wouldn't miss such a rare opportunity. He immediately released the Abyssal Ancient Sword and executed the Luo Water Fist Art.
The power of the Luo Water had already been stirred by the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden. Using the Luo Water Fist Art now could display its true might.
As Zhang Ruochen swung his fists, a towering wave surged from the Luo Water.
Two majestic figures appeared on either side of Zhang Ruochen—one divine, one ghostly—walking on the waves, charging toward Ming Yao and Ming Fo.
Ming Yao and Ming Fo were dealing with the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden's attack. Now, Zhang Ruochen's assault caught them off guard.
In haste, Ming Yao and Ming Fo simultaneously struck out with a palm, combining curse power and dark force to form two massive palm prints.
"Boom."
The divine and ghostly figures collapsed, but the immense impact still sent Ming Yao and Ming Fo flying backward.
It could be seen that traces of blood appeared at the corners of Ming Yao and Ming Fo's mouths, indicating they had suffered some loss.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen fully executed the "Sword Realm," slicing the curse vengeful spirit into pieces, then using space power to completely obliterate it.
On the other side, the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden landed back on the water surface, her aura unstable, her face pale.
Li Miaohan quickly reached out to support the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden. "Master, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I've just exhausted all my Saint Qi," the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden shook her head.
The Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden's cultivation had not yet reached its peak. Even with the aid of the Luo River Goddess's residual divine power, she couldn't strike continuously.
But landing just one blow had already resolved the crisis and helped Zhang Ruochen, which was enough.
For now, Ming Yao and Ming Fo had suffered losses, putting Zhang Ruochen in a favorable position.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Grand Prince Mara let out a miserable scream.
Inevitably, everyone turned their gaze, witnessing a bloody scene.
One of Grand Prince Mara's arms and one wing were torn off by the Azure Dragon Saint Dragon's claws, blood dripping profusely.
"Master, let me go help the Azure Dragon Saint Dragon."
Mo Yin emerged from Zhang Ruochen's spine bone, her eyes gleaming.
Zhang Ruochen understood Mo Yin's intentions perfectly—she wanted to devour Grand Prince Mara's essence and Sacred Source. He nodded. "Go, but don't let him die too easily."
"Rest assured, Master. I'll make sure he suffers," Mo Yin promised.
Immediately, Mo Yin flashed out, charging toward the battlefield between the Azure Dragon Saint Dragon and Grand Prince Mara.
Having devoured the essence of many Hell Realm experts on True Dragon Island, along with countless powerful Underworld Snake souls, and then cultivating in seclusion for thirty-four years, Mo Yin's accumulation was already extremely rich. No one knew exactly what level her strength had reached.
Even the Azure Dragon Saint Dragon alone was hard for Grand Prince Mara to handle. With Mo Yin added, it was like adding insult to injury.
"Grand Prince Mara is finished."
At that moment, many cultivators harbored this thought.
Of course, everyone was more focused on the battle between Zhang Ruochen and Ming Yao and Ming Fo. After what had happened, everyone undoubtedly hoped Zhang Ruochen could defeat Ming Yao and Ming Fo and truly resolve the crisis.
Ming Yao turned his gaze to the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden, a terrifying killing intent flashing in his eyes. If not for her sudden interference, how could they have suffered a loss at Zhang Ruochen's hands?
"Your opponent is me."
Zhang Ruochen, holding the Abyssal Ancient Sword, stepped forward.
With him here, how could he allow anyone to harm the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden?
"Ming Fo, you hold off Zhang Ruochen. I'll go kill that Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden," Ming Yao said in a low voice.
In Ming Yao's view, the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden's existence was a huge hidden danger, and she had to be eliminated as soon as possible. He didn't want what happened earlier to repeat itself.
"You two should stop making fools of yourselves. Two against one, and you still can't take him down after so long. And you call yourselves the strongest of the Underworld Clan?"
Just then, a mocking voice suddenly rang out.
Ming Yao and Ming Fo's expressions changed. They simultaneously turned their heads, looking toward the distant horizon.
They could sense that although the voice was loud, it wasn't nearby but came from hundreds of thousands of miles away.
In the next moment, wind and clouds surged above the Luo Water. Extremely thick black clouds appeared, covering a radius of ten thousand miles.
"Crack——"
A large area of space shattered, forming a massive black hole, as if piercing heaven and earth.
A figure like a god or demon crossed the void, stepping out of the spatial black hole.
Just the aura it released caused the surrounding space to completely annihilate.
"Boom."
The god-like figure landed heavily, causing the earth within a thousand miles to sink hundreds of zhang, making the Luo Water flow backward.
Land had become sea.
This person emitted an extremely evil aura, surpassing even the ancient curses.
Under the erosion of this evil aura, the earth within a thousand miles instantly turned into black, foul soil, and a large area of the Luo Water was stained like ink.
"Yan... Yan Wushen."
Seeing the person who appeared, many cultivators present turned pale, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
...
The strongest below Great Saint, Yan Wushen of the Yama Clan in the Hell Realm!